This date is sacredly honored not only in Our Country, but also in other countries of the former USSR, as well as in the world. On Victory Day, it is customary to remember the exploits of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers, who liberated their land from Nazi invaders.
history of the holiday
The Great Patriotic War lasted 4 years – from June 22, 1941 to May 9, 1945. During this time, more than 26 million Soviet residents did not return home, among which were not only dead soldiers, but also civilians who died during the war years or were taken to other territories.
In January 1945, an active offensive of the Soviet troops began, which ended with the heroic capture of Berlin. In the battle for this city, the USSR army lost more than 325 thousand soldiers and officers. For every street and every house in Berlin, Nazi soldiers fought to the last, tanks were even used in the city. And at 00:43 on May 9, the act of surrender of Germany was finally signed. Due to the difference in time, the day the end of World War II is celebrated in Our Country on May 9, and in Europe on May 8.
Already at 6 am on May 9, 1945, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the appointment of May 9 as a public holiday, Victory Day, was read over all the loudspeakers of the Soviet Union. In the evening, a solemn salute took place, consisting of 30 volleys from a thousand guns.
The first military parade in honor of Victory Day was held on Red Square in Moscow on June 24, 1945. However, May 9 was not a day off for long, in 1948 the Soviet authorities decided to concentrate on restoring the country and canceled the magnificent celebration.
Victory Day again became a holiday under Brezhnev – in 1965, when the twentieth anniversary of the end of the terrible war was celebrated. Solemn parades and fireworks were held in all hero cities, veterans and home front participants were invited to educational institutions and production facilities.
What is celebrated on Victory Day
There is not a single family on the territory of the former USSR that was not affected by the Great Patriotic War. Everyone has ancestors who helped save the Earth from fascism. It is their feat that we remember on this day and do not cease to be proud. Even in the difficult 90s, people did not forget this bright and at the same time sad holiday, celebrating it at least with their family members.
During the war, not only soldiers and officers had a hard time. Those who, for health reasons or because of their age, could not go to the front, worked in the defense industry. In the factories, the jobs of workers were taken by teenagers and women. Therefore, the victory over the Nazi invaders is the pride of the entire Soviet people, whose descendants live, including in modern Our Country.
Holiday traditions
One of the main traditions on Victory Day is the removal of the red flag. The tradition has been observed since 1965, when exactly the flag that Soviet soldiers hung over the Reichstag in 1945 was taken out. Later, the banner was placed in the museum of the armed forces, and a complete copy of the flag is taken out to the parade.
Traditionally, on the morning of May 9, the Victory Parade takes place on Red Square in Moscow, 2023 will not be an exception. In St. Petersburg, a parade is held with the participation of the fleet. Events are also held in hero cities and cities of military glory. In the evening – necessarily a solemn salute with volleys of guns and fireworks.
On Victory Day, s go to local monuments and memorials, lay flowers and wreaths at them. In parks and squares, various concerts are held with the participation of famous artists and amateur groups. Actions, rallies and processions are held in the cities.
In recent years, one of the attributes of the holiday has become the St. George ribbon, which s and citizens of other countries began to wear since 2005 as a symbol of heroism, courage and courage. Since the beginning of May, volunteers have been distributing ribbons for free in public transport, educational institutions and other public places. Both children and adults walk with a ribbon on holidays, paying tribute to the memory of those who did not spare their lives for the Victory.
Also recently, another tradition associated with Victory Day has appeared – the civil-patriotic action “Immortal Regiment”. Participants of the action march in a column along the central streets of cities, carrying in their hands signs with photographs of their great ancestors who went through the war. Thus, veterans of the army and navy, partisans, blockade runners, children of war and everyone who gave us peace on earth “meet” in the procession. The military histories of their families are all recorded in the Folk Chronicle on the website of the Immortal Regiment movement. Now the Immortal Regiment campaign is taking place in 80 countries and territories.
The main purpose of celebrating Victory Day is not fun festivities, but a reminder to current generations of the price that the heroes paid for peace and freedom.